This book is a warm, witty, and utterly charming debut that blends the vibrancy of Mumbai life with the tender messiness of love. At the heart of the story is Jia Deshpande, a confident, stylish writer who thrives on orchestrating romance for others while skillfully dodging her own feelings—particularly the inconvenient ones for her childhood friend, Jaiman Patil. Her dream of launching a matchmaking column hinges on successfully pairing a coworker with their perfect match, a task that seems tailor-made for her… until it starts to unravel spectacularly.
Hegde paints Mumbai with a vivid, bustling warmth, using family game nights, lively banter, and cozy neighborhood scenes to ground the romance in a world that feels both relatable and rich with cultural texture. Jaiman is the kind of romantic hero who sneaks up on you—steady, thoughtful, and quietly battling struggles of his own as his pub falters. His deep-rooted bond with the Deshpandes, and the unspoken feelings he harbors for Jia, create a simmering tension that turns every shared glance and playful jab into something charged with possibility.
What makes Match Me If You Can shine is how it balances lighthearted matchmaking antics with deeper questions about vulnerability, friendship, and knowing when to risk comfort for love. Jia’s journey isn’t just about romance—it’s about facing the gap between the love stories we imagine and the unpredictable, imperfect ones we actually live. Sweet, funny, and brimming with heart, this is a rom-com that celebrates not just finding love, but recognizing it when it’s been standing right beside you all along.
Leave a comment